Urgent care verses bedside nursing

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Hi all! I am looking to work in a more laid back setting. The hospital is starting to wear me out and I've interviewed at many primary care doctors offices but haven't landed a job yet, as it's quite competitive/difficult to get a job in a doc office. That has then led me to urgent care nursing. Has anyone worked in urgent care ? If so, do you think it is more laid back than a hospital environment?

Any stories or suggestions are most welcome! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I work pool in a busy pedi urgent care. You get em in and out as fast as you can, you don't remember their names or who their relatives are, or what kind of music they like, or any of that stuff. Register, intake, be seen, intervene if necessary, and discharge...NEXT??

I've only worked one shift on a "floor" in my entire nursing career but I would imagine it would be physically more taxing but mentally less stressful.

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but mentally less stressful.

How do you figure?

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OldDude, thank you for sharing! So I take it that you work in a large urgent care with more than one RN correct? I recently interviewed at an urgent care that is rather small but sees 50-60 patients per day on average with only one RN working at any given time, with 2 MA's, a physician, and a RT(radiology technician). I'm concerned about how the work atmosphere would be like being the only RN. Having worked at an urgent care, what are your thoughts on that?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
How do you figure?

There are no IVs to deal with other than the occasional one you start while waiting for 911 transport, no pumps or routine med times, mealtime, extended families...I may be wrong applying this to others, but I'd rather deal with lacerations, broken bones, splinting, after hours cough/congestion, asthma, beads up noses, and stuff like that, in and out, instead of the slow grind of the hospitalized patient.

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There are no IVs to deal with other than the occasional one you start while waiting for 911 transport, no pumps or routine med times, mealtime, extended families...I may be wrong applying this to others, but I'd rather deal with lacerations, broken bones, splinting, after hours cough/congestion, asthma, beads up noses, and stuff like that, in and out, instead of the slow grind of the hospitalized patient.

Would you say an urgent care is actually faster paced than a hospital? ( for example:faster-paced than med/surge floor, PCU, cardiology?)

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
OldDude, thank you for sharing! So I take it that you work in a large urgent care with more than one RN correct? I recently interviewed at an urgent care that is rather small but sees 50-60 patients per day on average with only one RN working at any given time, with 2 MA's, a physician, and a RT(radiology technician). I'm concerned about how the work atmosphere would be like being the only RN. Having worked at an urgent care, what are your thoughts on that?

We are open from 5 to 10 PM, M-F, and 1 to 10 PM, Sat and Sunday; 12 exam rooms. It's starting to ease a little now but during the height of the flu season we'd average 80 patients during the week and 120 on the weekends. Regular staff is 4 RNs, one of which is assigned intake (triage). Three MAs, one of which gathers vitals for the intake RN, one runs the "board" on patient room assignment and collects flu/strep/rsv/blood/CC urine specimens, and one runs the point of care flu/strep analysis. We have a lab tech for basic bloodwork and UAs, there is an Xray tech. We have 3 providers...usually a combination of MDs and a NP. Each of the other 3 RNs are assigned to a provider and take care of their patients, including discharge. I don't know how long your "day" is...but I could see you getting behind very quickly as the only RN; especially if you get a bunch of splinting, crutch training, ear lavage, I&Ds, wound cleansing/care...stuff that takes time. Now, if the providers assist with some of the stuff they order it might be different. But on the surface, 60 patients for one RN is pushing it. Good luck. PM me if you want to if you have other details you'd like to discuss.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Would you say an urgent care is actually faster paced than a hospital? ( for example:faster-paced than med/surge floor, PCU, cardiology?)

You'll have the occasional acute "sprint" on any floor but where I work it is definitely faster paced than the hospital; not the pace of an ER but mostly non-stop from the time we unlock the door until we re-lock the door at 10:00 pm. During the swine flu season a line would form that wrapped around our building waiting for us to open.

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Wow, it sounds like your urgent care is better staffed for sure! I feel like here in Florida, they like to short staff almost everywhere.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Wow, it sounds like your urgent care is better staffed for sure! I feel like here in Florida, they like to short staff almost everywhere.

I've worked at this place for over 10 years...there has never been a long term full time employee. They stay longer now that the shift is staffed with 4 nurses and there are two that have been full time for over a year now. The fast pace and evening hours, especially those with kids, finally take its toll.

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I have worked urgent care and bedside. Urgent care was as a CNA, but I can speak to what the nurse had to do in that setting.

It will most likely be a pay cut but I think most days it will be not more laid back but not as spazzy as inpatient can be. Depending on where you work, you might see 70+ patients a day. You do a lot of med dispense and have the provider sign scripts. If there are multiple RNs in the setting you will split the work. If it's just you then it can be a lot when it comes to something only the RN can do, like patient teaching or med dispense. Lots of immunizations, some crutches, lots of urine dips, maybe some lab draws. I think it's easier on your body for sure than bedside, and you don't have people camped out demanding coffee with extra cream when you really need to get report from cath lab. You may have some people wanting pain pills or other scripts urgent care often can't do. A lot of, "Follow up with your PCP." I learned a lot when I did urgent care and I liked it!

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Chacha82, thank you for sharing! I'm glad you like urgent care. I'm definitely between a rock in a hard place right now. If the urgent care I interviewed at had more than one nurse per day (12 hour shift) I would definitely take it. I have a lot to think about and I appreciate your perspective!

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